Forum trimming

[Bok]

An effort to gauge the overall opinion on trimming down and consolidating the number of forums.

Options.

1. Do nothing, leave as is

2. Consolidate the projects into DCR categories - Math, Biological etc

3. Combine some of the General forums into one.

4. 2 + 3

Bok

[Fozzie]

Option 4

[alpha]

I've gone for option 4 as well. However, if categorising the project fora doesn't work out so well I reserve the right to complain about it. ;)

[cwhyl]

5. "I don't know" :jester:

Hmm.. maybe 2. then

[gopher_yarrowzoo]

2. Providing the each project still has an individualality about it maths > project-forum.
Or
5. 1. + 2. with a switching ability.

[Bok]

5. 1. + 2. with a switching ability.

Not possible without major mods to vBulletin....

[the-mk]

Somewhat between 1 and 2, but I tend more to 2 :D
But do not merge too much, the most of the general area can be left alone...
Merging doesn't stop me using the new posts button :D

:cheers:

[Jeff]

I also voted #4. ;)

[CaptainMooseInc]

Can we get a forum just for jasong's posts? :rotfl:

[Helix_Von_Smelix]

Option 4
i can't believe that i agree with Fozzie:Pokes: :lmao:

and CaptainMooseInc :smoking:

[jasong]

Can we get a forum just for jasong's posts? :rotfl:
My own forum. Wow. Do you want to consolidate my posts for easier perusal, or am I just too crazy to be let loose any longer? ;)

[IronBits]

I like the Forums like they are.
I think each Project should have it's own section to support it.
If you catagorize them down to like Math, Biology etc. then we will have yet another layer to go down thru to get where we want to go.

I see nothing wrong with the current layout.

We tucked everything related to BOINC into it's own section and sub-forums already.
There is the 'New Posts' menu option at the top for quickly checking what's going on.
We can't defeat the 'stagnation' by doing this.

"and a wonderful method (reorganization) can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization."
- Petronius Arbiter, 210 BC
:mouserun:

[Shish]

Change is never easy and not necessarily for the good.
Option 2 is just adding another layer really and I prefer the projects separate and easy to find.
Maybe combine some of the non categorised forums and definitely stop away from the Ars sub forums style cos I think it makes the titles a bit messy.
Not an easy one this and activity is not so much low as spread out nowadays due to the plethora of projects about which there are a multitude of different views and loyalties.
I think archiving after a length of time to be decided for inactive fora is partly an answer as well but keep the different projects in an easy to find manner.
And it's always software that causes the bother...hardware just needs fixin' or replacing.....:lmao:

[alpha]

I'd just like to point out that I voted option 4 because I agree with some of the points made in the thread about the current state of the forum. I also use the "New Posts" link, so it really doesn't affect me if the layout changes or not.

I was putting myself in the shoes of a newbie to the forum and basing my vote on what I would prefer to see.

[the-mk]

Can we get a forum just for jasong's posts? :rotfl:

I refused to ask that :D

[edorajh]

I voted #4.

[JustEmazing]

I voted for leaving things as they are. I can see #3 being an okay option but as I look at the dates of posts for General Forums they've been posted to in 2007. I find myself agreeing with IronBits.

As for the project forums:

<0.02>
When I stumbled into Free-DC space via The Possums via Ars, I was delighted to find the individual project forums. It didn't matter that noone had posted in a long time. There was a sticky in most forums explaining the project and in most cases provided me with vital information about getting up and running. I believe I started crunching DPAD for Free-DC that night (though it could have been Rosetta!) I don't know that Free-DC would have had the same "feel" to me had the project forums been hidden under the DCR categories.

I do remember feeling a little lost trying to find out what the team was crunching. Might be helpful to name a project or two somewhere that many people are making a push in (I still get lost!)
</0.02>

[Sleepsalot]

Well I cast my vote for #4 But that is only my opinion.
Wayne